Typographical distributing machine



June 10, 1930. 1,762,863

' R. MLGROVE TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE 2 Sheets'-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1928 A TTORN June 10, 1930. GROVE 1,762,863

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1928 2 Sh eets-Sheet 2 Patented June 10, 1930 UNI-TED STATES PATENT; OFFICE" RALPH I. GROVE, OI BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTEALER LIND- TYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Application filed November 27, 1928. Serial No. 322,120.

This invention relates to t pographical distributing machines, such as inotype machines of the general organization repre-v composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with, moltenmetal to form a slu or linotype against the matrices which pro ace the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started. In some machines, such as the commercial model 9, where matrices may be drawn from several magazines and mixed together in the same line, the distributing mechanism includes a primary of main distributors which thereafter sort the matrices of the individual fonts according to character and restore them to their proper channels in the magazines. With this type of distributingmechanism, the matrices, after font separation, pass down chutes or tubes and enter so-called lower distributor boxes wherein they are guided upon inclined rails into engagement with reci rocating pawls or escapements, which eed them one at a time to the main distributors. In order that these pawls or escapements may cooperate properly with the matrices, the latter are usually provided in their. bottom edges with central notches which necessarily vary in shape and depth according to the thickness of the individual matrices.

the escapement device and its supporting Besides adding to the cost of production, such notches in the matrices materially limit the space ordinarily required for the regular font notches and, moreover, seriously weaken the matrices, especially when the latter are formed withv other necessary cuts or notches. Furthermore, matrices comprising fonts used on other machines, such as those of the single distributor class, are excluded from use on machines of the multiple distributor class described, since they do not have the required central notches.

returned distributor which first sorts the. matrices according to font, and a plurality The present invention is intended to obviate the foregoing difficulties and contem-' plates certain improvements whereby the distributing mechanism may receive and handle matrices of all fonts .whetherthey have or have not the objectionable central notches referred to. To this end, each of the lower distributor boxes is provided with an escapement device arranged preferably to cooperate with the upper-ends of the matrices, and which device not onl serves its primary purpose of feeding t e matrices one by one to the distributor screws, but also acts to accelerate the delivery of the individual matrices to the screws. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, there is employed a single'vertical reciprocating member presenting upper and lower alternatelyacting pairs of matrix arresting and releasing dogs arranged to operate in offset paralof said. member to engage the upper and lower ends of the upper projecting ears of the matrices,'respectively, in controlling the passage of the matrices through the distributor box.

It may be stated that this invention is in block; Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the reciprocating member showing a distorted matrix arrested thereby;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are fragmentary sections through the lower box showing the escapement device in different positions during its. operation, Fig. 5 being a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 9;

70 lel planes and adapted in the reciprocation Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front portion of the lower box;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 5; and 1 Fig. 10 is a face view of an ordinar matrix.

-After casting, the matrix line is transported to the upper distributor box A where. the individual matrices are successively detached from the line by the lifting finger A for deliver to the upper or lower distributor, according to the font to which they belong. The two distributors are identical in construction, each comprising a longitudinally ribbed bar B and a set of conveying screws B which carry the matrices therealong. After the matrices are detached from the line, they are presented to the conveying screws B of the upper distributor but, before they reach the corresponding distributor bar B, they are subjected to the action of the font selecting bridge C, which is adapted to cooperate with the lower ends of the matrices and control their delivery according to font to the upper or lower distributor. The matrices X are of the usual construction, each being formed at its four corners with the projecting "ears as and at its upper end with the V-shaped notch w having the distributor teeth :0 The matrices of one font (those delivered to the lower distributor) are formed at their lower ends with the ordinary font notches :2 while the matrices of the other font (those delivered to the upper distributor) are without the notches m or have them located in a different position along their bottom edges. Consequently, when the matrices are presented to the selecting bridge 0, those without the font notches are supportedby said bridge at such level that their distributing teeth :0 are caused to engage the upper distributor bar B; while those of the other font, due to the presence of the notches m straddle the bridge C and drop to a lower level so that their distributing teeth will avoid engage-' ment with the upper distributor bar. These latter matrices, when straddling the selecting bridge, are supported by their upper projecting ears upon the guide rails A and are carried along these rails and dropped into the chute C leading downwardly to the lower distributor box D. The matrices pass by gravity through the box D, wherein they are supported by the inclined rails D and are fed one by one under the control of an escapement into the threads of the conveying screws B of the lower distributor, whence they are carried along the associated bar B for final distribution.

So far as described, except as hereinafter pointed out, the parts are or may be of any well-known or approved construction and in themselves constitute no part of the present invention, which is directed primarily to an improved escapement device for the lower distributor box D intended to control the passage of the gravitating matrices one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws irrespective of the presence or absence of the objectionable central notches hereinbefore mentioned.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, the improved escapement device comprises a vertically reciprocating slide E mounted and guided in the recessed front plate D of a supporting block D which constitutes a fixed part of the lower distributor box D. The slide E isformed on its rear face with a lug or ear E and has a pair of depending side arms E and an intermediate depending finger E The arms E are arranged alongside the outer side faces of the respective guide rails D and are formed with up er and lower pairs of integral lugs E, E ig. 3), which project inwardly from said arms so as to be disposed in the path of the upper ears of the descending matrices, the lugs E moving in 'a zone above the guide rails and the lugs E in a zone extending below the upper edges of said rails. In order to provide room for the lugs E the outer side faces of the guide rails D are recessed, or cut awa at d, see Figs. 4, 8, and 9. The two pairs 0 lugs are also offset laterally in relation to each other so as to operate in adjacent parallel planes, the upper lugs E having their rear or matrix contacting faces disposed in a vertical plane which is slightly in advance of the corresponding faces of the lower lugs E When the reciprocating slide E occupies its upper position (as shown in Fig. 5), the lower lugs E stand partially above the upper edges of the guide rails D to engage the lower ends of the upper ears of the matrices; whereas, when the slide is in its lower position (Fig. 6), said lugs stand below the rail edges to allow the matrices to pass over the same on theirv way to the screws. In this connection, it may be observed that the top faces of the lugs E are beveled or inclined to correspond with the inclination of the upper edges of the guide rails D hand, stand clear of the descending matrices in the upper position of the slide E, but move downwardly with the slide into the path of the upper matrix ears as the lugs E pass below the upper edges of the guide rails. With this arrangement, as the slide E is raised a matrix will be released by the upper lugs E and allowed to slip forwardly against the lugs E which at such time are above the rails in position to engage the lower ends of its upper projecting ears; but on the return movement of the slide, said matrix will be free to pass over the lugs E while the upper lugs E hold back the next succeeding matrix. The lugs E, E should of course be spaced apart in a vertical direc- The upper lugs E on the other tion sufiiciently to permit a matrix ear of the shaft F journaled transversely in the block D adjacent the ear E before mentioned.

At one end, the shaft F projects through the rear side wall of the block D where it is provided with a crank arm F and between the two side walls of said block, the shaft has fast thereto a fixed sleeve F 2 formed with a pair of short horizontally disposed lever arms F These arms F embrace the ear E and are loosely connected thereto by a cross pin e which extends through the ear and engages in open slots 7 formed in the ends of the arms Ffl- Hence, by operating the crank arm F upwardly and downwardly, the shaft F is turned in opposite directions and, through the lever arms F causes reciprocation of the slide E. In the present instance, the crank arm F is actuated by the rocker arm A of the lifting finger A for the upper distributor box A through suitable link connections carried by the block D the arm A being in turn operated in the customary way by the rotary cam B and the pull spring A The said connections, see Figs. 1 and 2, comprise a vertically disposed link member F pivotally fastened at its lower end to the crank arm F and abutting at the top against a depending finger piece A secured to the rocker arm A. This particular form of broken joint permits the lower distributor box D and its escapement to be readily and instantly removed from and replaced in the machine, as is desirable. Since the rocker arm A is capable of actuating the shaft F in one direction only, namely, to depress the slide E, the rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction is effected by a pull spring F anchored to the box D and connected to the longer arm F of a lever F which is pivoted directly above the shaft F to the block D The other arm F of this lever, which is pivotally connected to the link member F is arranged parallel to the crank arms F so that said link member will be sustained in a vertical position at all times without other means of support. Through these connections the reciprocation of the slide E is effected and controlled by the operation of the rocker arm A and will therefore take place at the required speed and in synchronism with the lifting finger A According to the foregoing arrangement and assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 with the lower lugs E in their arrestin position above the guide rails D it wil now be seen that, as the link member F is depressed by the arm A, the shaft F will be rotated and cause the lever arms F to move the slide E downwardly against the tension of the'spring F. When the lugs E become flush with the upper edge of the guide rails l ,-the leading matrix (Fig; 6) will be free to escape and the upper lugs E will have been moved in front of the next succeeding matrix. However, due to the offset relation of the lugs, the leading matrix in escaping will be engaged and depressed by the upper lugs E as the downward movement of the slide E is completed, the lugs E thus serving the double function of accelerating the escape of the leading matrix and holding back the followin matrices. Since the matrices vary wi ely in thickness according to character and font, the horizontal distance between the rear faces of the respective pairs of lugs E", E is made equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the thinnest matrix, so that only one matrix at a time is allowed to escape to the screws. On the return or upward stroke of the slide E, which is effected by action of the spring F under control of the rocker arm A the lugs E are moved upwardly into their arresting position above the guide rails D and the lugs E out of engagement with what is now the leading matrix, which, being thus released, is allowed to slide forwardly by gravity against the lugs E The spring F not only provides the required element of safety in the upward movement of the slide E, but it also serves to maintain the escapement device yieldingly in. aconvenient position when the box D is removed from the machine, the slide E at such time banking at the top against the front plate D of the supporting block D It may also be ob served, by reference to Fig. 1, that the arm A in depressing the slide E is actuated by its control spring A, so that any danger of damage to the parts that might be caused by a matrix becoming wedged between the escapement lugs E and the guide rails D is avoided. Y

The depending finger'E hereinbefore referred to, is employed to detect a bent or distorted matrix and prevent its escape to the distributor, it being understood that whenever these damaged matrices reach the distributor, much time, labor, and annoyance is involved in recovering them, particularly when they are allowed to enter the magazine. Usually, it is the very thin matrices which cause the trouble, since their purchase on the lifting finger A of the upper box is relatively small and, if worn 'on their bottom edges, they are likely to slip ofi the finger before they clear the arresting shoulders 0: (Fig. 1). In that event, one or the other of their upper ears usually becomes clamped and bent between said shoulders and the threads of the distributor screws, and on the next upward stroke of the lifting finger, the

'isu

damaged matrix is frequently carried clear of the shouldersa and dropped into the chute C leading to the lower box D. The finger E ,'as will be noted, is tapered at its lower end to correspond to the V-shaped 'combina tion notch and under normal conditions is adapted to clear the matrices in any position of the slide E during its operation.

However, when the bent matrix is arrested as the slide descends, will engage the combination teeth aof the matrix and thereby stop the operation of the device before the lugs E have become flush with 'the guide rails D The distribution of matrices to the lower distributor box is thus halted until 'thetrouble is discovered and the damaged 'matrix removed.

For reasons'unnecessar'y to mention, certain standard matrlces of the thicker variety have the1r upper front corners 03*, Fig.

. 7, beveled off to such an extent that they might fail to pass properly between the lugs E, E, as the slide E is reciprocated and thus cause a piling up of succeeding matrices and a stoppage of the distributor. To overcome'this diificulty, the guide rails D are formed in their upper edges with curved notches or recesses 03 located directly below the lugs E These notches provide a short tracking surface whose inclination is steeper than that of the rails and upon which the thicker matrix ears are supported when arrested by the lugs E Consequently, when a matrix beveled as stated'occupies such position, it will be allowed to slip forwardly between the lugs (see Fig. 7) as the lugs E are moved downwardly into flush relation with the rails D and thus bring the horis zontal portion of its upper edge into the path of the lugs E; otherwise, the lugs E might engage the beveled corners 40* and so prevent the matrix from escaping to the screws.

The removal of the lower distributor box D, may be effected in the usual manner, it

being slidably mounted for endwise horizontal movement in a supporting bracket H detachably connected b screws H to the lower distributor bar. Since a portion of the connections between thelifting finger A and the escapement slide E are mounted upon and carried by the removable box as above described, while the remaining portion of the connections (being connected to the operating lever A are mounted independently of the box, the removal and replacement of the box automatically brakes and makes an operative connection between thelifting finger and escapement slide.

As previously stated the invention has been shown herein only by way of example, and

obviously it is susceptible of'many modifications and variations without departing from its scope.

Having thus, described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of-the UnitedStates is as follows:

1. In a typographical distributing mechanism for handling matrices formed on their opposite edges with upper and lower projecting ears, and comprising a distributor bar and a-set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravitate toward the screws, and an escapement device presenting upper and lower pairs of reciprocating dogs for controlling the passage of the gravitating matrices one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws, the upper dogs being arranged to engage the upper ends of the upper projecting ears of the matrices and the lower dogs arranged to engage the lower ends of said matrix projecting ears.

2. In a typographical distributing mechanism for handling matrices formed on their opposite edges with upper and lower projecting ears and comprising a distributor bar and a setof matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravitate toward the screws, and an escapement device presenting upper and lower pairs of matrix arresting and releasing dogs movable rectilinearly and arranged to operatevin ofi'set parallel planes in controlling the passage of the gravitat- 'ing matrices one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws, the upper dogs being arranged to engage the upper ends of the matrices at their opposite edges, and the lower dogs arranged to engage the lower ends of the upper projecting ears of the matrices. g

3. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravitate toward the screws, and an escapement device for controlling the passage of the matrices'one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws, said device consisting of a vertically reciprocating member having integral upper and lower pairs of matrix arresting and releasing dogs respectively arranged in ofi'set parallel planes,

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3, characterized by the fact that the distance between the vertical planes of the matrix arresting and releasing dogs therein retion of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravitate toward the screws, and an escapement device conslsting of a vertlcally reciprocating member having integral matrix arresting and releasing lugs arranged in pairs one above the other and in ofli'set parallel fplanes and adapted by the reciprocation 0 the upper and lower ends of the upper rojecting ears of the matrices in controlung the passage of the latter one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws.

6. In a typographical distributing mech- I anism for handling matrices formed on their opposite edges with upper and lower projecting ears and comprislng a (ll Si I1b11t0I' bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravitate toward the screws, and an escapement device consisting of a vertically reciprocating member having upper and lower intergral matrix arresting and releasing dogs adapted by the reciprocation of said member to control the passage of the gravitating matrices one at a time into position to be p cked up by the screws, the upper dogs being arranged to engage the upper ends of the matrlces and the lower dogs being arranged toengage the lower ends of the upper pro ect1ng ears of the matrices.

7. In a typographical distributing mechanism for handling matrices formed on thelr opposite edges with upper and lower projections and comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravltate toward the screws, and an escapement device controlling the passage of the gravitating matrices one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws, said device consisting of a vertically reciprocating -member provided at its opposite sides with a pair of integral lugs or projections, disposed one above the other inpredetermined spaced relation and arranged in ofi'set parallel planes, the lower lugs in the upper position of said member acting to arrest the leading matrix by engaging the lower ends of the upper pro ecting ears thereof and in the lower position of the member standing clear of said matrlx to permit its escape, and the upper lugs when said member is in its upper position standing clear of the descending matrices to permit the leading matrix to be arrested by the lower lugs but acting, as the member is moved downwardly, to hold back the following matrices.

8. A combination as specified in claim 7, characterized by the fact that the spacing of the lugs therein referred to is such that, as the reciprocating member completes its downward stroke, the upper lugs act also to said member to alternately engage depress the leading matrix and accelerate its escape.

capement device comprising a vertically reciprocating slide formed with integral matrix arresting and releasing dogs for controlling the passage of the gravitating matrices one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws, a block wherein said device 1s mounted, and means carried by the block for actuating the slide.

10. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails formed in their opposite edges with shallow notches or recesses, and an escapement device presenting upper and lower pairs of matrix arresting and releasing dogs arranged in operative relation to said recesses and movable vertically in offset parallel planes to control the passage of the matrices one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws.

11. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravitate toward the screws, an escapement device arranged to cooperate with the upper ends of the matrices for controlling their passage one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws, and an auxiliary guard or detector associated with said device for preventing the escape of a bent or distorted matrix to the screws.

12. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide rails along which the matrices gravitate toward the screws, an escapement device presenting upper and lower matrix arresting and releasing dogs movable rectilinearly and arranged to operate in oflset parallel planes in controlling the passage of the matrices one at a time into position to be picked up by the screws, and an auxiliary guard or detector associated with said device for preventing the escape of I a bent or distorted matrix to the screws.

sisting of a vertically reciprocating member having integral upper and lower pairs of matrix arresting and releasin do s respectively arranged in offset paral e1 p anes, and

jammed matrix.

means for operating said escapement member yielding y in both directions to avoid damage to the parts in the event of a 14. Acombination as in claim 1 or claim 3, characterized by the fact that the inclined guide rails therein referred to are formed in their upper edges immediately adjacent the escapement device with shallow notches or recesses to receive the upper projecting ears of the matrices as the latter approach the escapement device, for the purpose described.

15. A11 esca ement slide for controlling the passage 0 matrices through the lower distributor box of a typographical distributing machine, said slide comprising a body portion, a pair of arms depending therefrom at its opposite edges and spaced apart sufliciently to allow a matrix to pass between them, said arms being formed at their lower ends with inwardly projecting lugs adapted to cooperate with the lower ends of the upper projectin ears of the matrices, and a second pair 6 lugs carried by the-body portion' located above the level of but in ofi'set relation to the first pair of lugs and adapted to cooperate with the extreme upper ends of the matrices at opposite edgesthereof.

16. An escapement slide for controlling the passage of matrices through the lower distributor box of a ty ographical distributing machine, said sli e-comprisin a body portion, a pair of arms depending t erefrom at its opposite edges and spaced apart sufficiently to allow a matrix to pass between them, said arms being formed at their lower ends with inwardly projecting lugs adapted to cooperate with the lower ends of the upper projecting ears of the matrices, and said arms being also formed with a second pair of inwardly projecting lugs located above the level of but in ofi'set relation to the first pair of lugs and adapted to cooperate with the upper ends of said upper pro ecting ears of the matrices.

17. An escapement slide as in claim 15,

characterized by the fact that the vertical distance between the two pairs of lugs therein referred to is at least equal to the height of the upper projecting ears of the matrices to permit the latter to pass between them when released.

18. An escapement slide as in claim 15, including as a further element a centrally located guard or detector de ending from the body portion and arranged to engage in Y the V-shaped distributor notch at the upper end of the individual matrices.

In testimony whereof, this specification has been duly signedgylz 4 s R PH M. GROVE. 

